diff --git a/beacon_chain/eth1/eth1_monitor.nim b/beacon_chain/eth1/eth1_monitor.nim
index 7f70cc2ba..761ff9280 100644
--- a/beacon_chain/eth1/eth1_monitor.nim
+++ b/beacon_chain/eth1/eth1_monitor.nim
@@ -449,7 +449,7 @@ proc getPayload*(p: Eth1Monitor,
                  payloadId: bellatrix.PayloadID): Future[engine_api.ExecutionPayloadV1] =
   # Eth1 monitor can recycle connections without (external) warning; at least,
   # don't crash.
-  if p.dataProvider.isNil:
+  if p.isNil or p.dataProvider.isNil:
     var epr: Future[engine_api.ExecutionPayloadV1]
     epr.complete(default(engine_api.ExecutionPayloadV1))
     return epr
@@ -472,7 +472,7 @@ proc forkchoiceUpdated*(p: Eth1Monitor,
                         Future[engine_api.ForkchoiceUpdatedResponse] =
   # Eth1 monitor can recycle connections without (external) warning; at least,
   # don't crash.
-  if p.dataProvider.isNil:
+  if p.isNil or p.dataProvider.isNil:
     var fcuR: Future[engine_api.ForkchoiceUpdatedResponse]
     fcuR.complete(engine_api.ForkchoiceUpdatedResponse(
       payloadStatus: PayloadStatusV1(status: PayloadExecutionStatus.syncing)))
@@ -498,7 +498,7 @@ proc forkchoiceUpdated*(p: Eth1Monitor,
                         Future[engine_api.ForkchoiceUpdatedResponse] =
   # Eth1 monitor can recycle connections without (external) warning; at least,
   # don't crash.
-  if p.dataProvider.isNil:
+  if p.isNil or p.dataProvider.isNil:
     var fcuR: Future[engine_api.ForkchoiceUpdatedResponse]
     fcuR.complete(engine_api.ForkchoiceUpdatedResponse(
       payloadStatus: PayloadStatusV1(status: PayloadExecutionStatus.syncing)))